The Southern Consort of Voices performing at St Paul's Cathedral.
While it is no surprise Otago staff can teach, inspire, organise and strategise, many can also hold a tune, it seems.
Otago staff are dotted through many Ōtepoti Dunedin choirs according to HR advisor promotions and remuneration Stephanie Evans, including Dunedin Rock Choir, Sunny Side Up, City Choir Dunedin and the Southern Consort of Voices.
The Southern Consort of Voices has always had a connection with the University, Stephanie says.
“The Southern Consort is quite special to the University because it was started in the music department by Jack Speirs, who was a professor of music in the ’80s,” Stephanie, a soprano and committee member of the choir, says.
The small, acapella choir acknowledged its 40th anniversary in 2020, managing to fit in a concert between pandemic-related restrictions.
“To be able to celebrate that was really nice.”
While the choir has a strong “uni contingent”, anyone who is interested in joining get in touch, she says.
“It’s great to have new faces … We’re really just a bunch of people who love singing and come from lots of different backgrounds.
“We sing unaccompanied music ranging from early music to really recent, contemporary music, from Aotearoa and all over the world.”
Stephanie joined about 15 years ago and says not all members are trained singers, but most have a musical background.
The choir performs in Ōtepoti Dunedin three or four times a year, with the end of year concert being a favourite among members.
“It’s the high point of the year for quite a lot of our members, just being able to sing all this joyful Christmas music.”
Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Helen Nicholson, has been a member of City Choir Dunedin for about 18 years.
Singing is something that helps her relax “and it’s fun”.
“I had been in choirs in the UK before moving to NZ and missed singing,” she says.
“It’s a great way to switch off and concentrate on the music and the singers around me. It’s also a great way to meet people.”
City Choir Dunedin is the city’s second oldest choir, formed 160 years ago. The choir performs mainly classical choral repertoire, but also a few major new works from New Zealand composers, she says.
The choirs performs four or five times a year, mainly in Ōtepoti Dunedin, but in 2023 also went to Ōtautahi Christchurch to perform with the Christchurch City Choir. Helen says unfortunately she was not able to be a part of that performance.
People need to audition to become a member, and the choir has scholarships for singers under 30 years of age.